Things To Know About Russia

Essential Travel Tips for Russia

Knowing a few key facts before arriving in Russia makes the difference between a trip full of small frustrations and one that runs smoothly from day one. Every country has its own practical rhythms — its approach to money, transport, greetings, tipping, and the unwritten rules that guidebooks sometimes skip. The tips below address what actually matters on the ground, fact-checked for accuracy.

Some of these tips are practical (entry requirements, currency, transport); some are cultural (greetings, dining times, hospitality customs); some are safety-related. All of them apply regardless of where you are travelling from. None of them are difficult once you know them — but they are easy to get wrong if you arrive with assumptions drawn from home.

Entry requirements and political situations can change. Always verify visa rules through your own government's official travel advisory before departure. Travel insurance is non-negotiable for any international trip — ensure yours covers your planned activities. With the basics in hand, you are free to direct your attention towards what makes Russia genuinely worth visiting.

Key Takeaways:

• Always verify current entry requirements through your government's official travel advisory
• Understand the local currency and whether cards or cash are expected before you arrive
• Even a single word in the local language changes how you are received
• Cultural norms around dining, tipping, and social behaviour are worth knowing in advance
• Safety-specific tips for Russia are included — read them before you go

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Russia

1. Travel Advisory Warning

Russia has been under comprehensive international sanctions since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Most Western governments advise against all travel to Russia. Direct flights from most Western countries are suspended. Check your government's official travel advisory before any planning. Most Western governments ADVISE AGAINST travel to Russia — check your national advisory first.

2. Western Cards Do Not Work

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal do not function in Russia due to sanctions. International bank cards cannot be used at Russian ATMs or in Russian shops. Travellers must bring sufficient EUR or USD in cash to exchange at official bank exchange offices throughout their trip. Western bank cards WILL NOT work in Russia — bring cash in EUR or USD.

3. Visa Requirements

Russia requires a visa for most Western visitors. The application process requires an invitation letter from a Russian organisation. The diplomatic situation since 2022 has significantly complicated the visa process from Western countries. Visa required; process is currently complicated by the diplomatic situation — verify before applying.

4. Detention Risk

Several Western nationals have been detained in Russia in recent years, sometimes on politically motivated charges. There is a genuine risk of arbitrary detention for Western visitors. Photography near official buildings, military installations, or public demonstrations is restricted by law and can result in detention. Risk of arbitrary detention is real for Western nationals in Russia currently.

5. St Petersburg Culture

St Petersburg was built by Peter the Great as Russia's 'window to the West' and contains extraordinary imperial architecture. The Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace is one of the world's five greatest art museums. The White Nights (late May to mid-July) — when the sun barely sets — are one of the most remarkable atmospheric phenomena in any major city. The Hermitage is one of the world's five greatest art museums — allow two full days minimum.

6. Orthodox Church Etiquette

Russian Orthodox churches require modest dress for all visitors — covered shoulders and knees. Women should cover their heads inside churches (scarves are often available at the entrance). Photography may be restricted during services. Speak quietly and move respectfully. Women must cover heads in Russian Orthodox churches — a scarf at the entrance is usually available.

7. Moscow Metro

Moscow's metro stations were designed as 'palaces for the people' in the Soviet era — the architecture, mosaics, and chandeliers are extraordinary. The metro is also excellent for navigation. The circle line (Koltsevaya) and the stations at Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, and Ploshchad Revolyutsii are the most spectacular. Moscow metro stations are genuinely extraordinary architecture — ride the circle line specifically.

8. Trans-Siberian Railway

The Trans-Siberian Railway (9,289km, Moscow to Vladivostok, approximately 7 days) is one of the world's great journeys. The Trans-Mongolian branch via Ulaanbaatar and Beijing is also famous. Current visa and booking complexity require careful planning. The Trans-Siberian is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime journey — current access requires careful visa planning.

9. Winter Climate

Moscow winters regularly reach -20°C or colder. Siberian winters reach -40°C or below. Russian winter requires serious cold-weather clothing. Under-preparation for the cold is genuinely dangerous. Moscow in January requires serious cold-weather gear — -20°C is not unusual.

10. Cultural Directness

Russians tend to be direct and non-effusive in public — shop assistants do not smile at strangers. This is cultural baseline, not rudeness. Private hospitality is the opposite: extraordinarily warm and generous. Never refuse vodka in a home context — it is a genuine act of hospitality. Russian public directness is not unfriendliness; private hospitality is extraordinarily generous.

Final Thoughts on Travelling in Russia

The most important thing you can bring to Russia is genuine curiosity and a willingness to engage with the country on its own terms. The practical tips above handle the logistics — entry, money, transport, customs. The quality of the experience beyond that depends on the attitude you bring: openness to the differences, patience with the unfamiliar, and respect for a culture that has its own valid way of doing things.

Where something seems inconvenient — later meal times, different tipping conventions, shops closed on certain days — it is worth remembering that these are features of a living culture, not failures to meet external expectations. Adapting to them, rather than working around them, consistently produces a richer experience.

Go with a flexible itinerary, the right practical foundation, and an appetite for what makes Russia genuinely itself. That combination serves well in any country and particularly well here.